JD(U) suffers setback in Arunachal, six MLAs join BJP

Janata Dal United received a major jolt in Arunachal Presh, with six of its seven MLAs shifting allegiance to ruling BJP, a bulletin issued by state legislative assembly said. lone MLA from People's Party of Arunachal (PPA), Kardo Nyigyor from Likabali constituency, has also joined saffron party.

development comes a day ahe of anuncement of panchayat and municipal poll results. JD(U) MLAs who switched sides are Talem Taboh from Rumgong Assembly Constituency, Hayeng Mangfi (Chayang Tajo), Jikke Tako (Tali), Dorjee Wangdi Kharma (Kalaktang), Dongru Siongju (Bomdila) and Kanggong Taku from Mariyang-Geku constituency, bulletin said.

On vember 26, JD(U) h issued show-cause tices to Siongju, Kharma and Taku for "anti-party" activities, and suspended m. six JD(U) MLAs h earlier elected Talem Taboh as new Legislature Party leer allegedly without kwledge of senior party members. PPA MLA was also suspended by regional outfit earlier this month.

"We have accepted ir letters conveying intention to join party," BJP's Arunachal Presh president B R Waghe said.

JD(U), led by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, won seven of 15 seats it contested in 2019 assembly elections and emerged as second-largest party after BJP, which h bagged 41 seats. Following switchover, BJP w has 48 MLAs in 60-member House, while JD(U) is left with only one. Congress and National People's Party (NPP) have four members each.